The Chief Statistician has released statistics showing that the economy grew by 2.0% during the fourth quarter of 2020, covering the period October to December. Change in gross domestic product (GDP) is the main indicator of economic growth.
625 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 23,451 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results - 3.0% of these were positive.
Grants to improve or build new homes in some of Scotland's most remote and marginal communities have been awarded to 10 crofters. The Croft House Grants scheme aims to retain and attract people to rural and remote areas, and the latest round of funding totals £353,002.
The Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland will benefit from investment of up to £100 million by the Scottish Government and UK Government as part of the Islands Growth Deal. A range of areas, including tourism, infrastructure, innovation, energy transition and skills, will be targeted with the funding.
Public Health Minister Mairi Gougeon has today published an updated testing strategy for Scotland, setting out how testing will support the easing of restrictions and a return to everyday activities. It includes a £13 million investment in 2021/22 to establish Scotland's own genomic sequencing service to track new coronavirus (COVID-19) variants, and manage future outbreaks.
Stay Local rule to apply from 2 April. The First Minister has set out a timetable for the re-opening of parts of society over the next two months.
Young carers need support: 67% of young carers and 78% of young adult carers are more worried about the future since coronavirus. UK employers, including People's Postcode Lottery, Quilter plc and Bloom & Wild already working with Carers Trust to recognise the skills of younger carers and support them into the workplace.
Chocolate retailer Thorntons is the latest well-known high street brand to fall victim to the Covid crisis, announcing the closure of all its 61 stores, with the likely loss of 600 jobs. The Thorntons brand will remain on offer in supermarkets and other retailers, while its factory in Alfreton, Derbyshire, will make more chocolate for international markets.
Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh on Tuesday 16 March. Presiding Officer My statement today will set out our next steps out of lockdown and back towards a way of life that is much closer to normality.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has welcomed official figures showing the volume of crime covered by the survey in Scotland is down 46% since 2008-09, with violent crime having fallen by nearly two-fifths (39%) over the same period. The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) 2019-20 of around 5,600 adults interviewed before COVID-19 restrictions came into effect - which includes incidents not reported to police – shows people are now less likely to be a victim – with one-in-eight (11.9%) of adults experiencing crime compared to one-in-five (20.4%) in 2008-09.
A freedom of information request published today shows that Scottish Government spent £426,474 on advertising since 1st March 2020. No breakdown is given regarding the types of advertising concerned.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 16th) sold 9 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (1) averaged 220.0p (+8.6p) and sold to 220.0p per kg and £1,342.00 gross.
Over 2,900 applications authorised for eligible 16 to 18-year-olds. Figures released today, which coincide with Young Carers Action Day, reveal that The Scottish Government has paid out more than £860,000 to eligible young carers since The Young Carer Grant opened in October 2019.
The Ferret online news web site has reported on the level of profits and grants received. Fish farms: £10m handouts, £900m profits and 300,000 tonnes of pollution.
Scotland's Chief Statistician today released the main findings of the 2019/20 Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS). The volume of crime in Scotland, including incidents not reported to the police, has fallen by 46% since 2008/09.
The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff up to the most recent quarter ending December 2020.
UNISON, the union for local government workers, says a pay offer put forward by COSLA today (Tuesday) is a ‘slap in the face' for hard working local government workers who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic. Mark Ferguson, chair of UNISON Scotland's local government committee, says the offer falls far short of what local government workers deserve for keeping local services going in the most difficult of circumstances.
597 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 17,208 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results - 3.8% of these were positive.
A fully funded business growth programme aimed at nurturing life sciences and technology businesses is celebrating the completion of its third year. Pathfinder Accelerator was developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to help businesses bring new ideas to market quicker.
Improving connectivity to 15 of Scotland's islands through R100 North contract. Work to lay new subsea cables to supply superfast broadband to 15 of Scotland’s most remote communities will begin this Spring.
